JewishBoston.com: Wines, Whines, and Amy Winehouse

Jews, on the whole, aren’t known for our alcohol consumption. Sure, we might drink a l’chayim when there’s something to celebrate, but as far as excesses go, the stereotypes trend more towards shopping and world-domination and away from libation.

But every once in a while we can kick back and party with the best of them. Heck, the holiday of Purimpractically makes imbibing a mitzvah! And for many of us, when we think about Jews and drinking, the conversation naturally steers towards Manischewitz, the line of super-sweet wines that make every Passover seder and Shabbat dinner complete. (Interesting note: Jews aren’t the only people with a strange love for the stuff – apparently it’s popular in Haiti as well. Who knew?)

But if you’re like me, and you prefer to drink something with a little more, shall we say, nuance and depth than Manischewitz (the alcoholic equivalent of Cheezwhiz), you don’t have to pour out all those bottles of Concord Grape and (my favorite) Extra Heavy Malaga just yet. The internet is here to help! (God bless the internet.)

A little googling reveals something called the Manischevetini. This is a Real Thing. Multiple websites offer the recipe. Few extol its virtues. Proceed at your own caution, but if you do make one of these, please report back in the comment section below.

But beware – the Manischevetini might prove addictive and turn you into this:

(Big hat tip to our Australian friends at jew on this for bringing this video to our attention.)

Shababt shalom, everyone!

P.S. None of the above is meant to belittle the very real problem of addiction in the Jewish community. Now is as good a time as ever to mentionJACS, the organization for Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others. If you or someone you know needs help, this is a good place to start.

P.P.S. If you didn’t click on the very first link in this post, you missed out on a Japanese production of Fiddler on the Roof and your life is all the poorer for it.